Page 50 of Valentino

“Like now.” I look over at him as he pulls into his parking spot. “Is now a certain time that you need to?”

“I told you, don’t worry.”

But I am worrying because he drives a tank.

He parks the car and pushes the button.

Floor 29

We ride up the elevator in silence again.

Is Carlo on the loose or is something more sinister happening behind the scenes?

Who am I kidding, Carlo is sinister.

The doors open into a private foyer; the walls are painted a dark chocolate, and large abstract paintings hang on the wall. There’s a round circular table with a bunch of flowers in the middle.

The flooring is black-and-white checkered marble, and I smile as I look around in awe. “Did you decorate this?”

His face breaks into a broad smile too. “Why…don’t you like it?”

“Yes of course, it just isn’t what I expected from you.”

“What did you expect?”

“I honestly don’t even know.”

He pushes a code into a keypad, and the doors click as they release and he pushes them open, and wow, my eyes float around the luxurious space. “My God, Valentino. This is beautiful.”

“It is.” He looks around.

It has an old-world vibe to it, black-and-white checkered marble flooring, dark chocolate walls, and big colorful artworks. Large rugs and wooden furniture. Everything feels textured and cozy, and to the side of the living room is a set of stairs.

“This apartment goes over two levels.”

“It does.”

I’ve grown up with opulent money around me. Being Francesca’s best friend through life has brought with it, I guess you could say, a nothing-surprises-me attitude. But this kind of feels different.

Valentino’s personal space is nothing like I imagined it to be.

Val walks in and puts his briefcase down. “Pour yourself a glass of wine if you want, I’ll throw some things together.” He gestures left. “The kitchen is through those double doors.”

“Alright.”

He disappears upstairs and I walk into the kitchen and smile as I look around.

“My God.”

Two double ovens and hot plates, with a walk-in refrigerator.

A woman has to have designed this kitchen; there is no way a man could have designed this.

Giovanna.

My eyes widen, did he remodel this kitchen and this apartment for her?

Suddenly I don’t feel so awe inspired, I feel deflated.